Emergency stomach surgery and the after effects

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

It's me again. 

We are having the worst luck when it comes to our doodles this year. :( 

We lost Gracie who was only 4 in February to Hemangiosarcoma which appeared out of nowhere and hit us pretty hard. 

Now Jade who is 3.5 yrs is having issues. She was vomiting for hours early morning on Thurs and after getting a dose of cerrenia (She had gotten sick 2 weeks prior and we had some leftover), she was drooling excessively. The vet had us drop her off to observe, take tests, and xrays. She said it sounded like an obstruction of some sort. 

When she called, she said bloodwork was normal for a dog who had become dehydrated and was what she expected. But, had sent the xrays to a radiologist - which they didn't do two weeks prior. 

The radiologist said there was some sort of blockage in the upper gi and so the vet asked if we could do a barium treatment to see where it stopped - which was the stomach.

I agreed to surgery and the blockage was caused by excess fluid and the pyloric muscle was thickened and the entry (exit?) was narrowed. The vet asked if she had had any issues prior as it looked like she had pyloric stenosis and maybe some ulcers as in the fluid there were flecks of blood. They do not have a flexible endoscope at their office, so she could only surmise that the flecks of blood came from ulcers. 

The only vomiting Jade has done previously was for car sickness which she outgrew. Then the episode 2 weeks ago which was an expulsion of her breakfast and she collapsed afterward which is why we took her to the vet.  

The vet took care of the fluid in her stomach and sent her home with sucraflate, famotidine, and omeprazole.

Jade hasn't been eating much. She refuses the science diet l/i that they sent home, but she has ate some chicken and rice.

She also continues to regurgitate small amounts of liquid. Sometimes it has yellow blobs in it. Usually this happens after she drinks some water. I am going to call tomorrow to update them, but am concerned we really haven't gotten to the root of the problem . Anyone out there have a similar episode with their doodle or other breed? Or does anyone have any suggestions of questions I should be asking? 

I'm at a loss as to why this is happening to us. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Please see a Veterinary Internal Medicine specialist. This is exactly what happened to my Jack before he was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including the stenotic pyloris. 

I'm very upset that your vet went ahead and did surgery without taking tissue samples for biopsy. Also kind of appalled that they are not equipped to do endoscopy, which is so much less invasive. Now in order to get an accurate diagnosis, you're going to have to pay for another procedure under anesthetic and put your dog through that. Exploratory surgery and/or endoscopy are the only ways to get an accurate diagnosis of IBD and to know what kind it is. 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is an immune-mediated disease which can be managed but never cured. We have a lot of information on it here. 
PLEASE arrange a consultation with an IMS ASAP. 

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

They have a regular endoscope, but not one that would be flexible enough to explore the esophagus and into the stomach. Initially she thought the blockage was a tangible item. She said she could refer us elsewhere. I agreed to the surgery. :( 

I will ask about a Gi panel in the morning. 

What are some symptoms of IBD? She had no issues up until the past 2 weeks. Jade was my healthy dog. I am so saddened by all of this. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

IBD has many forms, and the symptoms are varied. They include regurgitating food and water, nausea, diarrhea, loud rumbling stomach sounds, inappetance, and other digestive symptoms. It can come on very suddenly; it did with my Jack. His digestive system was perfectly normal prior to the onset of his IBD symptoms, and his pylorus became stenotic within a week of the very first symptoms.

You really do need an IMS to properly diagnose this and set up a treatment plan. In 80% of cases, some type of immune-suppressant drug is required, and special diets (NOT Hills) are always required for successful management. 

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Thank you, I will start looking for an IMS. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, your vet should have had a GI blood panel run. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Hoping you get a diagnosis and that Jade is owing better soon.